Miss Maha plans out this month

By Maha Kashani

Go see the DPO New Year’s Eve show. Photo courtesy of Andy Snow.

Well, I blinked and 2011 was history. With the holiday season almost past us, I can’t help but feel guilty for eating too many cookies and enjoying all those libations. Luckily, boxing at Drake’s Downtown Gym has helped keep me from packing on the pounds and there are fun things happening to keep us all active.

Did you know? Dayton will host its first-ever Fashion Week in July 2012. “Dayton Fashion Week: The Rise of Style” will introduce an exciting revolution of fashion right here in our city. Move over Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, Dayton is on the up and up. This four-day celebration includes educational seminars, design contests, multiple runway shows featuring collections from local, regional and national designers, prêt-à-porter and avant-garde fashions, and more. As a self-proclaimed fashionista, I am over the moon. www.DaytonFashionWeek.com

Miss Maha’s “Best Bets” to:

Ring in the New Year:Paris to Vienna: A New Year’s Celebration December 31, 8 p.m. — Schuster Center
This year, the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra will take us across Europe on a joyful journey of music featuring an itinerary of light classics, opera arias and festive favorites. Enjoy complimentary champagne at intermission and the traditional balloon drop at the concert’s close. You won’t want to miss this festive and affordable DPO New Year’s Eve experience! www.DaytonPhilharmonic.com
Cost: Tickets starting at $8

New Years Eve Party at Sidebar 410
December 31, 9 p.m. — Sidebar 410 in the Oregon District
If you’re looking for a classy way to ring in 2012, then Sidebar is your spot. The evening begins with a delectable four-course dinner, then guests can move to the ultra hip back lounge and enjoy handcrafted cocktails while the DJ keeps the crowd on their toes. Champagne toast included. www.Sidebar410.com
Cost: $85 per person

Enjoy downtown Dayton:Themed Nights on Ice Various dates, 7-10 p.m. — the Ice Skating Rink at RiverScape MetroPark
One of my favorite activities this time of the year is ice skating at RiverScape MetroPark. Five Rivers offers these fun themed nights to help keep it interesting. Grab your leg warmers and parachute pants, then head back in time for ‘80s Night, January 6; Round up your crew and get ready to groove on ice for Hip-Hop and R&B Night, January 13; Channel your inner “Gleek” and warm up those vocal chords to sing your hearts out for Glee Night, January 20; watch Saturday Night Fever and make sure to practice your hustle before heading down for Disco Fever Night, January 27. It’s time to have some fun! www.MetroParks.org/skating
Cost: $5 (skate rental included)

Experience Arts & Culture:See the work of Norman Rockwell Through February 5 at the Dayton Art Institute — Concert January 6-7 at the Schuster Center
Did you know that the Dayton Art Institute was rated one of the Top 10 Art Museums in the nation? American Chronicles: The Art of Norman Rockwell has arrived, tracing the evolution of America’s most celebrated illustrator throughout his career including the complete set of 323 Saturday Evening Post covers spanning 47 years. Can’t get enough Rockwell? Check out the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra’s Musical Gallery: Rockwell Reflections concert featuring classical compositions inspired by five of Rockwell’s seminal paintings. Enjoy this concert for half off by using promo code: NPR231894 when buying tickets. www.DaytonArtInstitute.org or www.daytonphilharmonic.com/dai
Cost: Rockwell Exhibit – $15, half off DPO concert tickets starting at $4.50

Meet young professionals:4th Friday Lunch featuring Congressman Mike Turner January 27, noon —Dayton Women’s Club.
Generation Dayton’s 4th Friday Speaker Series lunch kicks off with a bang introducing Dayton’s Young Professionals to Congressman Mike Turner. Many don’t know that Congressman Turner was elected as the Mayor of Dayton when he was only 32 years old with significant accomplishments under his leadership that included bringing Fifth Third Field, Riverscape MetroPark and our beautiful Schuster Performing Arts Center to downtown Dayton before heading to Washington, D.C. to serve Ohio’s 3rd District. Come learn about his fascinating story of climbing the political ladder. www.GenerationDayton.org
Cost: $12 all-inclusive lunch

Miss Maha’s “Can’t miss it” pick of the month

Jersey Boys January 17 – February 5 The Schuster Center
There is a lot of excitement around this smash-hit Broadway musical coming to Dayton. Jersey Boys, the 2006 Tony Award winner for Best Musical, is the rages-to-riches biography of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. This group of blue-collar boys from the wrong side of the tracks became one of the biggest American pop music sensations of all time. They wrote their own songs, invented their own sounds and sold more than 175 million records worldwide — all before the ripe age of 30. This show features mega-hits like “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You,” “Oh, What a Night” and more. I promise you won’t be disappointed. www.VictoriaTheatre.orgCost: Tickets starting at $42

Don’t forget to keep up with me on Facebook: www.Facebook.com/MMATC and follow me on Twitter: @MissMaha. Happy New Year and Khoda Negahdar, my friends.